Latest Release v26.08.26 Gen 1 – Gen 9

PKHeX Download Safe Pokémon Save Editor

The ultimate open-source Pokémon save file editor for PC. Modify IVs, EVs, movesets, shininess, and items with built-in legality checking across all game generations.

Download PKHeX How to Use

100% Free & Open Source
Scanned Virus-Free
Windows 10/11

Utility Specs Verified Safe

Supported OS

Windows 64-bit

Prerequisite

.NET 8.0 Runtime

Latest Title

Scarlet & Violet

File Support

.main, .sav, .dsv

Powerful Editing Capabilities

Everything You Can Do with PKHeX

Designed for complete control over your Pokémon save files. From competitive stat optimization to complete Pokédex management.

Universal Save Editing

Supports native save files (`.main`, `.sav`, `.dsv`) from physical cartridges, digital downloads, and major emulators like Citra, Yuzu, and Ryujinx.

Gen 1 through 9

Built-In Legality Checker

Instantly verifies movesets, encounter locations, Pokéball validity, and ribbon history to keep your Pokémon legal for online play and trading.

Anti-Ban Verified

Detailed Pokémon Editing

Customize IVs, EVs, Natures, Abilities, Shininess, Tera Types, Moves, and Original Trainer (OT) data with precise drag-and-drop mechanics.

Full Control

Inventory & Pokedex Tools

Instantly add rare items, Master Balls, EV vitamins, and key items. Unlock full Pokédex completion entries or edit in-game currency with one click.

1-Click Modding

Overview & Intent

What is PKHeX?

PKHeX is a free, open-source save file editor created by Kwirk and Kaphotics for Windows PC. It allows Pokémon players to view, edit, and export save files from official handheld cartridges, digital console titles, and emulators across Gen 1 through Gen 9 games.

Whether you want to optimize IVs and EVs for competitive team building, replace lost event Pokémon, modify held items, or complete your National Pokédex without hundreds of hours of grinding, PKHeX provides absolute control over your save data.

It operates strictly on decrypted save files (such as `.main` or `.sav`), meaning it modifies save data directly on your PC rather than editing live console memory. It also features a built-in legality algorithm that warns you if an edited Pokémon contains impossible stats or illegal move combinations.

Why Use PKHeX?

✓

Save Time on Competitive Prep

Instantly generate legal 6IV, EV-trained Pokémon for local battles or tournaments without tedious breeding loops.

✓

Cross-Generation Compatibility

Seamlessly transfer and edit saves across Game Boy, Nintendo DS, 3DS, and Nintendo Switch titles.

✓

Recover Lost Progress

Restore corrupted saves, unlock missed mystery gift events, or modify inventory items to fix stuck questlines.

Game Compatibility

Supported Pokémon Games & Save Formats

PKHeX is backward-compatible across nine generations of mainline titles, spin-offs, and custom save files exported from hardware or emulators.

Generation	Supported Titles	Save File Format	Required Export Tools / Notes
Gen 9	Scarlet & Violet	.main	JKSV or Checkpoint on Switch CFW / Yuzu / Ryujinx
Gen 8	Sword & Shield, BDSP, Legends: Arceus	.main	Native Switch save structures supported directly
Gen 7	Sun & Moon, Ultra Sun/Moon, Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee	main, .sav	Checkpoint for 3DS / Citra emulator saves
Gen 6	X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire	main, .sav	Supports full Mega Evolution & Super Training data
Gen 4–5	Diamond/Pearl/Pt, HGSS, Black/White 1 & 2	.sav, .dsv	DeSmuME, MelonDS, or TWiLight Menu++ on NDS
Gen 1–3	Red/Blue/Yellow, Gold/Silver/Crystal, R/S/E, FRLG	.sav, .srm	RetroArch, mGBA, VC dumps, or hardware cartridge flashers

Official Mirrors

Download PKHeX for PC

Get the latest official release of PKHeX save editor. Verified clean, malware-free, and fully updated for Gen 9 games.

Latest Stable Build

PKHeX Executable (.zip)

Version: v26.08.26 Size: ~26.2 MB Updated: Recent Build

Download PKHeX

Checked clean with VirusTotal. Zero ads, keyloggers, or hidden installers.

System Requirements

1

Operating System Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit mandatory).
2

Prerequisite Framework Requires .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0 or higher to launch.
3

Console Requirements (Optional) Custom Firmware (CFW) with JKSV / Checkpoint for physical cartridge save extraction.

→ Missing .NET 8.0? Download official Microsoft Runtime

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Use PKHeX

Follow this quickstart guide to safely export, modify, and re-import your Pokémon save files on PC.

Backup Your Save File

Export your save file from your hardware console or emulator. For Nintendo Switch, use save managers like JKSV or Checkpoint via Custom Firmware (CFW). Emulators like Yuzu or Citra allow direct save location access by right-clicking the game and selecting Open Save Data Location.

Launch PKHeX & Open Save

Extract the PKHeX .zip archive and run PKHeX.exe. Click on File → Open in the top navigation menu, then select your exported save file (e.g., main, main.sav, or .dsv).

Edit Pokémon, Items & Stats

Select any box slot to edit an existing Pokémon or drag-and-drop .pk9 / .pk8 files into the PC box. Adjust IVs, EVs, Nature, Movesets, Tera Types, or Held Items using the editor tabs on the left panel.

Verify Legality

Check the top-left icon of the Pokémon preview box. A green checkmark indicates the Pokémon is 100% legal. If a red exclamation mark appears, click it to see the exact invalid property (e.g., impossible move or catch location).

Export & Restore Save

Navigate to File → Export SAV… → Export main. Overwrite your original save file. Finally, restore the edited save file back to your console using your save manager (JKSV/Checkpoint) or emulator.

Pro-Tip: Always create a duplicate raw backup copy of your un-edited save file in a separate folder before overwriting it with PKHeX.

Safety & Legality

Frequently Asked Questions

Essential information regarding file safety, anti-ban precautions, and legal Pokémon parameters.

Is PKHeX safe to download and use on my PC? +

Yes, 100% safe. PKHeX is a completely open-source project created by Kwirk and Kaphotics. It contains no telemetry, keyloggers, or malicious code. Because PKHeX operates off-line on saved files stored on your PC, it does not modify your live computer RAM or system drivers.

Can I get banned online for using edited Pokémon? +

You will not get banned as long as your edited Pokémon passes PKHeX’s built-in Legality Checker (indicated by a green checkmark icon). Online servers check for impossible stats, illegal movesets, unobtainable Pokéballs, or unreleased Shiny forms. If your Pokémon exhibits parameters obtainable through normal gameplay, it is indistinguishable from a natively caught Pokémon.

Does PKHeX require a modded or hacked console? +

For physical Nintendo Switch or 3DS consoles, yes—you need Custom Firmware (CFW) or a homebrew save manager (like JKSV or Checkpoint) to dump the raw .main save file to your SD card. However, if you play on PC emulators (like Yuzu, Ryujinx, or Citra), no console modding is needed; you can open the save folder directly.

What is the difference between Legal and Illegal Pokémon in PKHeX? +

A Legal Pokémon possesses stats, moves, abilities, and encounter metadata that could naturally exist in official game software. An Illegal Pokémon features impossible attributes (such as Pikachu knowing V-Create, or maximum IVs on a shiny lock event) and will trigger a red alert in PKHeX.

Why won’t PKHeX open on my Windows PC? +

PKHeX requires Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0 (or newer) to run. If nothing happens when double-clicking PKHeX.exe, download and install the official .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime x64 installer directly from Microsoft’s official website.